A Weary World Rejoices

Luke 2:21-38

Sermon Notes:

1) A Gift fit for the Poor, 21-24

2) A Gift worth Waiting for, 25-26, 33-38

3) A Gift to Die for, 27-32

Reflection questions:

1. Why is it important to know that Jesus was born into poverty? Compare v.24 with Leviticus 12:8. Also see 2 Corinthians 8:9.

2. Have you ever waited for a gift and then been disappointed to not receive it? Think about that as you read the following verses: Luke 2:25-26, 36-38; Romans 5:1-5, especially v.5.

3. Was Simeon unique, or are there others in the Bible who received the gift to die for? Cf. 2 Timothy 4:6-8.

The Blessing of a Magnificent God

Luke 1:39-56

Sermon Notes:

1) Elizabeth's Exclamation of Faith

2) Mary's Exclamation of Fear

Reflection Questions:

1. Elizabeth and Mary would have had very little authority and status in their culture and world. Yet, the Holy Spirit spoke scripture through them both. How does the Spirit speaking through Elizabeth and Mary show God's love for the last, the least, the lost, and the little?

2. While we don’t know much about Mary, vv. 46-56 show us a great deal of her faith and understanding of God's promises. What passages in scripture can you think of that Mary might have been recalling? How do you think Mary's familiarity with scripture impacted her faith?

3. God isn't simply taking from those who have too much and giving to the needy, like some Robinhood of the sky. Instead, God is removing the idols of pride, self-sufficiency, and riches, from those who have rejected him. But God fills those who are humble before him with blessing and mercy. How is your pride, might, or wealth getting in the way of you fearing God more fully, and humbling yourself before him?

Final Instructions to the Church

Luke 24:50-53

Sermon Notes:

1) An Evangelistic Benediction, 50

2) A Dramatic Exaltation, 51

3) A Doxologic Jubilation, 52

4) An Enduring Association, 53

 

Reflection Questions:

1.       Christ blesses his disciples in vv. 50-51. Read Numbers 6:22-27 for background on how God blesses His people through His priests and compare to Psalm 67. How does God bless us, and what effect should it have on us?

2.       The immediate response to Christ’s ascension was to worship God with great joy. While the Bible has much to say about worship, what do the following passages show you about what our worship should look like – either internally (in terms of our attitude) or externally (what we should express)? Hebrews 12:18-29; Psalm 2:11-12.

3.       Fellowship (worshipping continually in the temple) is a minor note in this passage, but what more does Luke say about it in his second volume, Acts 2:42-47? Are you experiencing less fellowship with God’s people during this time? Do you miss it, or have you not realized how much you miss it and need it?

The Great Commission, According to Luke

Luke 24:36-49

Sermon Notes

1. Peace, 36-39

2. Proof, 38-48

3. Power to Proclaim, 45-49

Reflection questions:

1. Were the disciples’ circumstances peaceful? (See John 20:19) How is that Jesus was able to pronounce peace to them during this time? (Consider John 16:33 and 14:27)

2. Why did the disciples need more proof of the Resurrection? What promises of God are you struggling to believe? Do you ever worry that God is disappointed in you because you have doubts? What word you use to describe God’s actions towards these doubters who should’ve known better?

3. Does Jesus still want us to wait (v49 – “stay”) until we proclaim the message of repentance and forgiveness of sins? Or has the promise “power from on high” been fulfilled? See Acts (Luke’s 2nd volume), specifically Acts 2.

The Greatest Bible Study EVER!

Luke 24:13-35

Sermon Notes

1) The Secret, 13-18

2) The Sadness, 17-24

3) The Story (Revealed), 25-27

4) The Satisfaction, 28-35

Reflection questions:

1. How would you answer this question – I will be happy (or content) when ______ happens?

2. Read vv. 25-27. Can you think of one Old Testament passage that predicts part of the life and ministry of Jesus? Can you think of one theme of the Old Testament that is fulfilled in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ?

3. Read 1 Corinthians 15 about the Resurrection, particularly vv. 12-19. Why is the Resurrection so important to the Christian life? What perspective does it give us about our current life in a fallen world? Focus especially on v.19.

Risen, Indeed!

Luke 24:1-12

Sermon Notes

1) The Perplexing Fact of the Resurrection, 1-4

2) The Frightening Remembrance of the Resurrection, 4-8

3) The Unbelievable Wonder of the Resurrection, 8-12

Reflection questions:

1. Is it possible to be a Christian and not believe in the resurrection? How would you try to explain this to someone who said they like what they read about Jesus, but they can’t believe in miracles?

2. What are some truths of Christianity that are important to daily life that you have trouble remembering during your hardest struggles? How would your life be different if you could remember what you know?

3. When is the last time you marveled, wondered, or were amazed at the truth of the resurrection? When is the last time you said something like the following to yourself: “Amazing Love! How can it be? That thou my God should die for me”?

Why Didn't They Understand?

Luke 23:44-56

Sermon Notes:

1) Stop and pay attention! (How the Centurion eventually understood) v.44-47

2) Think for yourself! (How the crowd eventually understood) v.48-49

3) Look out for his kingdom, not yours! (How Joseph understood even though the council missed it) v.50-56

Reflection Questions:

1. How can you take time to slow down in your life and focus on Jesus to prevent what happened to the Centurion?

2. We know the gospel means both these statements are true "you are more sinful than you can see" but also "you are more loved than you can imagine in Christ". Which do you struggle more with?

3. What other "benefits" do you receive from being a Christian? How might those things become idols in and of themselves if you forget they are good gifts from God?

4. How might you feel if you were in the crowd crucifying Jesus and he looked at you? What expression would be on his face?

With Me in Paradise

Luke 23:26-43

Sermon Notes:

1) The Prophet who Warns of Destruction, 26-31

2) The Priest who Pleads for the Mockers, 32-39

3) The King who Welcomes the Repentant, 37-43

Reflection questions:

1. Read through Matthew’s parallel account of this passage (Matthew 27:27-51), and see if you can understand why D.A. Carson (in his book Scandalous) makes the following statements about that passage:

a. The man who is mocked as king is the king, 27-31

b. The man who is utterly powerless is powerful, 32-40

c. The man who can’t save himself saves others, 41-42

d. The man who cries out in despair trusts God, 43-51 (this last section parallels next week’s sermon passage)

Giving the People What They Want

Luke 23:1-25

Sermon Notes:

1) The Will of Herod, 4-11

2) The Will of Pilate, 1-7, 11-16

3) The Will of the Mob, 16-25

4) The Will of the Lord, Isaiah 53

Reflection questions:

1. Should we always assume that what we want is the same thing that God wants for us? See Psalm 37:4; Jeremiah 17:9; Proverbs 16:9

2. How does Barabbas show us a picture of the gospel even if we can’t assume that Barabbas ever believed the gospel? See 2 Cor. 5:21.

3. As we continue to look at the final week of Jesus’s life, how do you see the prophecies of Is 53 fulfilled in the life of Jesus?